Archives open up centuries of British sex

The 17th century punishment for sex crimes was public
humiliation and 1930s Britons pretended to be drunk so they could get away
with sex on the beach.

Historical attitudes to sex in Britain will be laid bare for all to see
this week in archives which reveal a nation rich in sexual experience and
enthusiasm.

The historical documents, to be given a public outing by the Center for
Archive Studies at Liverpool University, include Britain's first ever sex
survey, conducted 57 years ago but deemed too shocking for publication at
the time.

The survey shows many British men had homosexual experiences, many were
frequent visitors to prostitutes and many British wives pursued sex
outside marriage.

The archives also have details of public displays of sexual behavior in
the 1930s on the west coast's famous Blackpool Beach as well as in cinemas
and dance halls, and show how many Britons threw sexual caution to the
wind during World War Two.